Angela Marie Perkins

No, they’re not cats and they’re not rats. They are
POSSUMS!! Yes, those huge creatures that have been surfacing more and more
throughout Jersey City are not a figure of your imagination. Surprise! It
isn't just a suburban problem anymore. It’s now a city problem as well.

For those residents who have not seen these creatures,
consider yourself lucky. “Pleasing to the eye” they’re not. They’re
actually very frightening. They look like huge rats with long noses.

Whenever the subject arises, one frequent question is
“where did they come from?” Being a Jersey City resident all of my life, I
can honestly say that during my years of growing up in this city, I have
never sited a possum until recently. Can someone please give a straight
answer as to where they are coming from? Other than the assumption of the
major construction in Jersey City disturbing their resting places, I have
not received a definite answer.

This growing pesticide problem may have you wondering
how to possibly be rid of this rodent for once and for all. Possums, like
many other animals, love to go through your garbage in search of food. One
method of combating this problem is that homeowners should consider heavy
duty plastic or aluminum garbage cans with tops. Your aim should be to
avoid giving the possum access to your garbage.

Residents, you may find them in trees, in bushes or
under the porch. What should you do when that happens? According to advice
given by a commercial exterminator, the best way to tackle this occurrence
is through setting traps. What happens after you have captured the animal?
Well, call one of the city’s animal centers. Perhaps the organization will
arrange to have the animal removed from your property. If you are an
amateur, try to release the animal without seeking instruction on how to do
so. The possums have sharp claws that could cause bodily harm if you don’t
know how to handle it physically. Remember, when this animal has been
trapped, he is most defensive. You don’t want to deal with an angry
rodent.

Poisoning is an option, but not considered a good
idea. Yes, you may succeed in the lure of getting the animal to take the
bait, but where this animal goes to decompose can be a problem. It will not
be such a pleasant experience if it somehow crawls near your home or within
your walls and dies. What will you do about the smell? If it cannot be
located immediately, you will have to withstand the wait of its full
deterioration. Also, squirrels, cats and dogs can eat the poison. Remember
your aim is the possum. You don’t want to have an abundance of dead
animals in your neighborhood.

Residents of Jersey City, you are encouraged to
contact our city officials with this growing pesticide problem.